Assessing Pancreatic Trypsin Activity Using the POLARstar Omega Microplate Reader

Pancreatic trypsin activity is one of the commonly used biomarkers for assessing severity of both in vivo and in vitro experimental acute pancreatitis. Currently, it is measured by fluorometric assay using a spectrophotometer in which samples are excited at 380 nm and emissions are collected at 440 nm. Although this method provides an accurate measurement of trypsin activity, it only allows testing of individual samples per time point and requires a considerable amount of trypsin substrate which is expensive. In this application note, the BMG LABTECH POLARstar Omega microplate reader is used to test pancreatic trypsin activity with a minimum volume of sample and dyes in multiwall format and in real time.